Columbia County
County Seat: Saint Helens
Area (square miles): 657
Population (2018): 50,795
Black, Indigenous, and People of Color Population Share: 11%
Households: 19,296
Regional Typical Annual Household Income: $60,286
Poverty & Energy Burden
Energy Burdened* Households: 21%
Federal Poverty Level (family of three): $21,720
200% Federal Poverty Level: $43,440
Annual Energy Burden Gap**: $549
Homes
Homes Built Before 1990: 65%
Owner-occupied Homes: 73%
Renter-occupied Homes: 27%
Energy
Average Annual Residential Electricity: 12,766 kWh
Average Annual Electricity Cost: $1,053
Average Annual Residential Natural Gas Therms: 663
Average Annual Natural Gas Cost: $627
Electricity and Natural Gas Average Costs (percent of typical income): 3%
Home Primary Heating
Electricity: 52%
Natural Gas: 32%
Propane: 1%
Wood: 11%
Travel
Average Annual Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) Per Household: 24,064
VMT Cost (fuel, maintenance, repairs): $3,860
VMT as Percent of Regional Typical Income: 6%
VMT as Percent of 200% Federal Poverty Level Income:18%
*An individual or family is considered energy burdened if they spend 6% or more of their income on energy costs.
** Amount needed to reduce energy costs to 6% of household income for household at 200% federal poverty level.